Choosing The Best Montessori Toys For Your Child at Any Age

With the rise in modern technology, the importance of alternative forms of play is more important than ever. Technology brings many benefits to play, but it’s also well-documented that excessive screen time can cause more harm than good.

So getting this balance is imperative. And as a result, Montessori toys are more popular than ever, especially with the recent surge in homeschooling. But what is this style of active learning, and how do you find the best baby toys and toddler gifts for your child?

Here’s our guide to helping your kids grow and encourage sensory development to become their best selves.

What Is the Montessori Educational Method?

Montessori is a child-centered approach to education that focuses on open-ended play developing numerous essential skills, including motor development, language development, and social skills. The pioneering educational approach was developed by Italian physician Maria Montessori as a method of education to help children from deprived backgrounds regain control over their desire to learn as young children.

Instead of punishing their curiosity, Montessori’s method embraces their curiosity and desire to learn through play whilst engaging in the learning process with other children. Even in older children, it was later evident that embracing play through creative skills and everyday life skills was beneficial for their development of emotional skills and giving them the life skills they needed to thrive in a society not made for them.

What are Montessori Toys?

Montessori toys for kids are a by-product of the aforementioned method of learning. They are a type of educational toy that is designed to help children learn through exploration and play. They are typically open-ended toys that allow children to use their imagination and creativity to learn.

These toys are special because they’re simple, open-ended designs with resemblance to real-world objects. They’re often compact designs made from organic materials like wood. Examples include wooden blocks, a simple puzzle or something larger like a balance beam.

One of the key features of a Montessori toy is that it’s meant for young children–they’re not too complex and work well within a Montessori styled room. Another distinguishing factor is that these toys need to be physically manipulated by a child; they don’t move or make sounds on their own. In doing so, these toys encourage the child to develop motor skills faster, preparing them for tasks they’ll encounter later in life.

What are the Benefits of Montessori-Friendly Toys?

Montessori-inspired toys offer a variety of benefits for children. These toys help them learn through exploration and experience as opposed to a more passive style of learning, such as watching TV. This allows children to understand the world around them in a more hands-on way.

Montessori-aligned toys provide sensory experiences that can help children learn about colors, shapes, and sizes. In addition, these toys can help with balance and hand-eye coordination. That’s because they are usually made out of sustainable materials like wood, which helps build fine motor skills.

The most important benefit of choosing a Montessori toy is that they encourage brain development and teach children to think critically and creatively. By encouraging children to explore their surroundings and create things, they gain an understanding of the world around them.

Finally, Montessori toys are versatile and, whilst aimed at younger children, can be used by children of all ages. This provides opportunities for older toddlers who thrive on Montessori methods to explore and learn new things as they play.

How to Choose the Best Montessori Toy For Your Child

Some tips for choosing the best Montessori toys for your child are to think about what your child is interested in, what your child is working on in school, and what developmental stage your child is in. You also want to make sure that the toys are safe and age-appropriate.

When it comes to Montessori toys, there are a lot of different options to choose from. But how do you know which ones are the best for your child? Here are some tips to help you out:

Materials

Wooden toys tend to be popular among Montessori toys. Wood is an excellent material to use for toys because it offers many benefits for children. It’s easy to carve into different shapes and textures, making it fun for kids to create and manipulate.

Another benefit of using wood is that it’ll last longer than plastic and won’t break easily. This makes it easier to keep up with the cost of buying new toys. Plus, they’ll last a lifetime so with the right care and attention they can be passed on from generation to generation.

As well as wooden toys, metal Montessori toys such as this lock and key toy set are another excellent option for a Montessori toy. They’re durable and can be painted or decorated to match your child’s room décor. However, they may be harder to clean so it’s worth bearing that in mind when choosing a Montesorri toy or activity.

Colors

Bright colored toys such as these multi-colored sorting bears are a must when it comes to choosing a Montessori toy, especially a baby or toddler toy. Bright colors will stimulate your child’s senses and help them focus on the task at hand.

You should avoid dark colors, however, as they can cause eye strain. If you have a light colored room, then bright colors will look great against the walls. Otherwise, stick to pastel shades, like pink, blue, yellow, or green.

Shapes

Whether it’s the toy itself or a toy focused around shape-play such as a shape sorter, Montesorri toys focus heavily on shapes. Shapes are one of the first concepts that babies pick up on. So if you have a little one who likes playing with blocks, then this could be a great choice for him or her.

A busy board Montessori toy is another good option for a toy that encourages learning about shapes. These toys encourage children to interact with each other and develop social skills.

Activities

If you’re looking for toys that will encourage your child to get active, then look for activities that require the child to move their body. Activities like balancing, hopping, jumping, and climbing are great ways to get your child moving.

Consider a balance board or balance bike that aids in motor skills to develop faster, boosting their physical development through hands-on activities.

If your child has developed good hand-eye coordination, then consider toys such as pegboards, puzzles, and blocks that encourage this skill.

Safety

It’s important to consider safety when choosing a Montessori Toy. Toys should be designed to prevent choking hazards, sharp edges, and other dangers. Look for toys that have rounded corners and smooth surfaces. Also, check that the toys are suitable for your child’s size and weight.

Age Appropriate

Montessori toys also provide sensory experiences that can help children learn about colors, shapes, and sizes. In addition, these toys can help the development of children to understand the world around them in a more hands-on way.

The Different Types of Montessori Toys

There are many types of Montessori toy. Some are classics that have been around for a long time, while others are more recent inventions. Here is a list for inspiration of the different types of Montessori toys you can buy:

Manipulative Toys

One category of Montessori toy is the manipulative toy. These toys help children learn about geometry, physics, and math. They include shape sorters, blocks, and gears that can be manipulated to teach principles of science and mathematics.

Sensory Toys

Another type of Montessori toy is the sensory toy. These toys help children develop their senses by providing interesting textures, colors, and sounds. Examples include stacking cups, textured balls, and musical instruments.

Books and Puzzles

In many ways, traditional items that encourage a hands-on learning experience such as books and puzzles make great Montessori toys as well. Books and puzzles encourage children to read and practice problem-solving, such as color-sorting.

Balance Toys

Balance beams, trampolines, and balance boards are all examples of balance toys. Balance boards are ideal for toddlers because they allow them to explore their environment in safety.

Balance bikes are also a great idea for outdoors. Children can ride them safely and improve their motor skills while learning about motion and stability.

Choosing Age-Appropriate Toys

As mentioned above, Montessori toys should be appropriate for your child’s age. There are plenty of Montessori books and puzzles available for babies and toddlers, but once your child starts school, they need something else.

Best Montessori Toys For Babies

Babies and toddlers love to play with soft toys, especially during valuable tummy time! Soft toys are perfect for 6-12 months, because they don’t pose any danger to your baby. And since they’re made of natural materials like cotton fabric, they’re easy to wash and dry.

Some other good options for babies include rattles, mobiles, and bouncy seats. Bouncy seats are especially helpful when your infant has trouble sleeping at night.

An object permanence box is also a great Montessori toy for babies and toddlers as they learn to develop the notion that something exists even when it’s out of sight!

Best Montessori Toys for Toddlers

Toddlers love playing with wooden building blocks. A wooden toddler toy made out of basic shapes is a great choice for developing practical life skills as well as motor skills.

A wooden puzzle is also great Montessori toy for helping your toddler practice spatial awareness as well as improving motor skill development. What’s more, you’ll see their concentration skills develop as they master their problem-solving skills at the same time.

Check out this wooden crocodile puzzle that perfectly encapsulates all the elements we’ve discussed about choosing a Montessori toy – A wooden block-building animal 3D puzzle that also encourages children to learn the alphabet as they piece the puzzles together!

Montessori Furniture

Montessori furniture is another essential element in creating a Montessori-inspired environment for your toddler. Montessori furniture is designed with the child’s independence and development in mind. It allows the child to easily access and interact with their environment.

One popular piece of Montessori furniture is the low shelf. This low-height shelf allows toddlers to independently choose and access their toys and materials. The open shelves also promote organization and self-discipline as children learn to put their toys back in their designated places.

Another useful piece of Montessori furniture is a low table and chair set. This provides a comfortable and stable space for toddlers to engage in various activities such as crafts, puzzles, and snack time. The low height encourages proper posture and allows the child to have control and autonomy over their activities.

When it comes to choosing Montessori furniture, opt for pieces made from natural materials such as wood. These materials are not only durable but also provide a sense of warmth and connection to nature. You can get allergen-free wooden Montessori furniture for sensitive skin using FSC-certified wood.

Get Your Montessori Toys Today!

Montessori never created toys specifically for children to play with at home; instead, she inspired an approach to learning using designed materials for use in the classroom setting to support developmental milestones. However, there are now a number of companies that make high-quality Montessori toys that can be used both at home and in school.

With supply chain issues causing products to sell out faster and restocking slower than ever before, it’s more important than ever to know what to look for when choosing a Montessori toy as the perfect gift for your loved one.

Check out a whole range of Montessori toys and more at Luna and Cash today!